Fire cartridge



p 17, 1968 R. H. ALLEN 3,401,633

FIRE CARTRIDGE Filed July 6, 1967 INVENTORS RALPH H. ALLEN 3,401,633FIRE CARTRIDGE Ralph H. Allen, 318 Paradise Road, Aberdeen, Md. 21001Filed July 6, 1967, Ser. No. 651,626 4 Claims. (Cl. 10232) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A cartridge, which is actuated by a pyrotechnic primer,and which contains a special pellet that when loaded in a weapon anddischarged, projects a special pellet in the burning state at a lowvelocity; thus the target material when contacted will not be disturbed,and though damp or wet, combustion will take place.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a fire cartridge for starting a fire underadverse circumstances or in inclement weather by an individual who mayencounter such circumstances.

It is, therefore, the object of this invention to overcome suchadversity by providing a charge adaptable to any shell casing that maybe inserted in and fired from the barrel of any conventional hand weaponto attain combustion in the target material.

This special pellet may be modified to fit any type shell casing,completely fills the case and requires no other material. The powderedpellet material is readily mixed and formed prior to pressing in thecartridge case, wherein the pressing is accomplished by a hydraulicpress utilizing a pressure of approximately 8000 p.s.i. The precautionof water-proofing is adequately provided for by employing a standardglue or adhesive at the bottom of the shell casing before compressingthe pellet in the shell casing and at the top of the casing the pelletis sealed by a waterproofing material.

The drawing illustrates any conventional cartridge casing 1 with a cap 2and a primer 3 in the center of the cap 2. On the inside of the cap 2 astandard glue or adhesive 4 is applied as shown for reception of thepellet 5. The open end of the shell casing 1, after the pellet 5 hasbeen pressed therein, is sealed with a waterproof composition 6.

The following fire starter formulations were devised to yield thedesired characteristics and the percentages are by weight:

Composition N0. 1

Percent Antimony sulphide 5-15 Barium nitrate 20-30 Lead styphnate 3-8States Patent led Percent Tetracene 3-8 Magnesium oxide 3-8 F33D -60(Ferric oxide, 51% zirconium, 49

Composition N0. 2

Percent Barium nitrate 67-87 Red phosphorous 13-23 TNT 2-6 Aluminumoxide 3-7 The pellet may be pressed into any shell casing that isselected to fit the barrel of the particular hand weapon chosen for thistype of survival equipment. This method of igniting a fire has theadvantage while insuring combustionof the target, material also isejected at a velocity low enough as not to disturb or scatter thematerial to which it is directed.

This device will naturally be of great assistance to the individual thatis lost or separated from companions for the purpose of initiating afire regardless of the prevailing conditions whether it be for domesticor incendiary purposes.

'I claim:

1. A pellet for a cartridge shell casing adapted when initiated toignite a fire even in damp materials in which the composition of saidpellet consists of 67-86% barium nitrate, 12-23% red phosphorus, 2-6%TNT and 37% aluminum oxide.

2. A method of igniting a fire even in damp material comprisingcompressing a powdered pellet material in a conventional cartridge shellcase, wherein the powdered pellet material consists of 67-87% bariumnitrate, 13- 23% red phorphorus, 26% TNT and 3-7% aluminum oxide, andigniting the pellet material.

3. The method of igniting a fire as in claim 2, wherein the open end ofthe shell case with the pellet material compressed therein is sealedwith a waterproof composition.

4. A cartridge for igniting a fire even in damp materials comprising ashell casing, a pellet disposed in said casing, the composition of saidpellet consisting of 67-86% barium nitrate, 12-23% red phosphorus, 2-6%TNT and 3-7% aluminum oxide, means to seal the pellet within the shellcasing, and a primer actuated igniting propellant in said shell casingof a strength to propel the pellet from the casing in a burning state ata low velocity.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT E. STAHL, PrimaryExaminer.

